Disney | The Angel Forever

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Disney’s PhotoPass Magic

Posted on July 12, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Family vacation time means that you have your camera out and are always taking photos along the journey. Of course, most of the time one of the adults is missing because they are the one capturing the memories. Thanks to Disney, those days are now over. The Disney PhotoPass allows the entire family to gather together for amazing memories as a group. Like this one with TechyDad, the boys, and my parents at Hollywood Studios. I added the birthday border since we were celebrating JSL’s turning five while there.

When we went on our first family trip to Walt Disney World in May 2009, we heard about PhotoPass. We bought the CD before we went and made sure to read up on what they were about. Basically, there are photographers throughout the Disney parks and resorts. Not only will they take pictures of the entire family in front of Cinderella’s Castle, but you can go to designated areas to see Disney Princesses, Mickey, Minnie, Winnie the Pooh, and countless others.

Each PhotoPass photographer has a camera that will scan your card to save your photos. When you see your first photographer, you simply ask for one of these PhotoPass cards:

The photographer scans the card and they are saved together. When you get home, you are able to access all of your photos, add fun Disney borders, purchase additional items, and more on the PhotoPass website. You are able to buy individual pictures, or get the rights to the photos via CD or now zipped files sent to you. Here is a photo we took with Duffy the Disney Bear soon after we arrived. When we got home, I added the fun Flower & Garden Festival border since we were visiting during this time. You truly could spend hours adding numerous borders to photos on your CD in case you want them one day.

Tip: The PhotoPass Card is small and similar to a credit card, so it can get lost easily. Take a photo of the card with your cell phone. Even if lost, you will be able to use the number on the back to access any of your magical memories.

When we went to Disney in April, we were debating whether or not to get a PhotoPass CD. We figured we would risk it and wait to see how we liked the photos before making a purchase. TechyDad and I were not sure if my parents would utilize it enough with the boys when they were with them. If you purchase the CD before hand you can often get deals. Lucky for us, the team from the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration gave us an amazing present at the first event when we arrived. It was the new PhotoPass+ CD for our families.

This new option for PhotoPass has some really great additional features for a larger price tag. It is $169.95 when preordered as of 7/2012 (normally $199.95). You receive the PhotoPass+ Card on a lanyard, Voucher to order the PhotoCD, and receive the Disney’s Photo Gallery CD with 400+ high resolution digital photos from around Walt Disney World. You can use your card and others on your CD purchase, but the PhotoPass+ cards are special for some additional magical memories. Traditionally, at some of the Disney restaurants, you would buy photo packages with your meals. If you have the PhotoPass+, these will be included for you. Participating restaurants include: 1900 Park Fare, ‘Ohana, Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, Chef Mickey’s, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Tusker House Restaurant, Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, and Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

While we did not take advantage of the dining option during our last visit, we did use another option. You may have photos from select rides in the parks added to your card instead of buying those individually at the end of the ride. These can not be put onto the regular PhotoPass card. Rides that participate include: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Ranger Spin, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock’n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur. We used this a lot and I will write more about this later. Here is JSL’s first time on Splash Mountain.

One other fun item that you can do with either of the PhotoPass purchases are magic shots. Basically, you ask the photographer if there is a special add on in that location. If there is, they will guide you on how to stand or prepare for the item that will magically appear when you arrive home. Here are a few examples:

And here is one with Photo Magic and a border added:

So many magical memories and much more to share another time. If you have any questions about Disney’s PhotoPass CD or PhotoPass+ please do not hesitate to ask.

Disclosure: All of the photos within this post were taken during our 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration stay and was part of the PhotoPass+ CD that we received. Although we paid for our own trip to Disney World to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we were given an incredible deal from Disney. Also note that Disney never asked us to blog about this event. As a long time Disney fan (who has purchased the PhotoPass multiple times), it is my pleasure to share my experiences from the event.

Categories:
Disney DisneySMMoms family looking back photos travel vacation

Transportation Disney Style

Posted on July 11, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

The theme for the Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop is Transportation. As you can see I had fun looking back at memories with different styles of transport for people, characters, and things within Walt Disney World.

Categories:
Blog Hop Disney looking back travel vacation Wordless Wednesday

Looking Back at Grandparents

Posted on July 8, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

My boys are very lucky to have all four of their grandparents living relatively close to us. They typically see Nana and Papa several times a week. They have also gone with us to Walt Disney World twice. Since TechyDad’s parents live several hours away, the boys do not see Bubbe and Grandpa as much during the winter months.

Growing up, all of my grandparents lived in the same city. I have so many memories of going to my Nana and Papa’s house as a child. They had a giant in-ground pool. We would often walk to their house with neighborhood children to spend hours in the pool, eat watermelon, BBQ, or just hang out until it was time to swim again.

I really need to find some of photos that we have from the times spent there with family and friends. So many amazing memories that I want to share with all of the boys. TechyDad never met either of them and I want to let them know more about the people that they are named for.

We also spent a lot of time with my Mimi and Poppy. They lived close to us as well. I remember the swing set that was in their old house, playing with their dog Snoopy, and having countless Shabbat dinners with them. TechyDad was able to get to know Mimi and Poppy. A few months after we were married, I remember heading up to Saratoga to the track with my parents, Mimi, and Poppy. We had an amazing time in the sun. We were able to relax, enjoy the time together, and watch the horses.

When NHL was born, he had three great grandparents. Jason’s grandmother, along with Mimi and Poppy were important parts of his life. As the first great grandchild for all of them, we made sure he visited them often. NHL still recalls going to see Poppy at the nursing home where they would eat Dunkin Donuts and ice cream together. JSL met Great Grandma a few times before she passed away, but never met Poppy. Instead he proudly carries on his name. I smile each day knowing that the boys are named for Nana, Papa, Poppy, and Jason’s grandfather.

Today we will be spending time with Mimi. She is a special part of our lives. The kids adore being with her whenever possible. She honestly spoils them, but that’s what great grandparents are for. I know today we will be making more memories together that the boys and I will always cherish.

P.S. Mimi – this post was not meant to make you cry (though I am sitting here with tears in my eyes as I type). I know you read this and wanted to do something special since I just found a lot of great photos from years ago.

Categories:
Disney family jsl looking back nhl photos TechyDad

Independence Day Wishes for 2012

Posted on July 4, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Wish I was back here, but I will be spending the day with family at home. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July celebration. How will you be celebrating today?

Categories:
Disney holidays

Finding Nemo Life Lessons

Posted on July 2, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Some days you just need to try to put things into perspective. The reality of life may be hard to swallow, but sometimes transforming it into a familiar Disney story can help make you smile. Today, Finding Nemo will remind us to:

Sometimes, we must keep moving across a great distance to get to the other side of an obstacle. Though there are times that I wish I could forget everything like Dory, her message rings in my head over and over again. We must “Just Keep Swimming” past the tough times which will make us appreciate family and friends.

It is during those quiet times with our family that we can sit and appreciate the beauty of the world around us, even if it feels like we may be stuck in a mass of coral looking at the world beyond our reach.

Of course, there are moments that will teach us to let go. To allow ourselves to keep swimming, set new goals, seek assistance, and allow Mr. Rays in the world to show us the great beyond.

Although it may be easy to beat yourself up, you have to pick yourself up and get through the current of life. There is no such thing as failure if you use it as a life lesson. Not everything can go right day in and day out. We have to think like Crush because…

As you can see, Nemo and friends can certainly remind you of some important life lessons. What others can you think of from Nemo or another Disney movie that help you to put things into perspective and push through a rough patch?

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